Norton Announces New Funding for Ward 8 DHS Headquarters Construction Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that action Tuesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which fully funded the continued construction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters on the St. Elizabeths campus in Ward 8, and prioritization by the House, sent an important signal that the project may be slowed, but that it will be finished. The Senate Appropriations Committee fully funded the President's request for $89 million for St. Elizabeths in the fiscal year 2013 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The House Appropriations committee put only $34.5 million for the project in its bill, but Norton nonetheless was elated by the House funding because the House included no funding for the project last year. The funds will be used for moving the Coast Guard headquarters, the first building in the complex to be completed at St. Elizabeths, as well as for infrastructure, transportation, and pedestrian access to the St. Elizabeths West Campus. "With funding from both houses in this tough budget year, the project has its mojo back," Norton said. "Both houses know that, when it comes to homeland security, what has been started must be completed. The committees also recognize that costs have significantly increased because of slower funding and will only escalate the longer funding is delayed. The committees seem to be trying to keep the project moving and at least to fund what the President requested."

Norton, who is ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, has already obtained more than $1 billion for the project, which has put D.C. residents to work. Since construction began on the Coast Guard headquarters building at St. Elizabeths, 22% of the workers hired by contractor Clark Construction have been District residents. Norton continues meeting with contractors to ensure that they are making the proper good-faith efforts to hire District workers for the project.

Published: May 23, 2012